Kevin Ware To All: I’ll Be Fine

Surrounded by his family and girlfriend in his hospital room, an upbeat Kevin Ware has a simple message for all of the well-wishers and people worried about him: He’s going to be OK.

The Louisville guard, who broke his tibia in horrific fashion during the Cardinals’ Elite Eight game Sunday against Duke, is hoping to be discharged from an Indianapolis hospital Tuesday afternoon and return to his teammates at school.

“Hopefully I’ll be back in time to watch practice,” Ware told ESPN.com by phone Monday. “It hurts but I’ll be fine. I’ll be fine.”

Ware, who had a steel rod inserted in his leg during a two-hour surgery late Sunday night, said that when the injury initially happened, he thought it wasn’t serious. Then he saw the reaction of his coach, Rick Pitino, and knew something was wrong.